Birthday Pi

143,078,400 is an enormous number an approximation at best but gobs of time, no less

as I sit reflecting on these years and pondering how it began it was in fact that many seconds ago that I was introduced to my J-Mo, fo sho!

but back yet further on that pi day long past neither pie nor pi lay grasping the mind for it was this day less twenty-three years that your folks looked on in joyous tears

they looked on at what would become a girl to raise with pride a woman in whom they could confide a daughter requiring only their love

and then to fast-forward the tape to within mere months ago they welcomed a humbled young man and graciously allowed him to pursue their gem

Today, in your smile, I see His Joy in your eyes, I see true concern in your speech, I see a relationship with our Father in your laughter, I see capacity for carefree fun in your actions, I see obedience to Christ in your touch, I see sincere trust in your writing, I see selfless encouragement in your life, I see Jesus Christ I could not ask for more

how to celebrate such occasion? not a mere birthday, but a life in Christ when asked what gift you might want “nothing” was replied in nonchalance

so I wracked my brain for strands of creativity but until now my efforts were albeit vain what could I give to show that I appreciate you so?

shipping a carefully timed gift while with you would’ve taken great and unreasonable planning what I do have is time and feeble words and a gift to the needier in your honor

so, underneath this digital bow find three gifts, time – a man available to always listen and to serve words – a poem lacking in quality but laced with love ministry – a donation to those for whom you are passionate

in the cherished yet overused words of “they” in balancing originality with tradition in combating Hallmark obligation with personal love